What Marriage Challenges Are 'Normal' and What’s Not Okay: Episode 403
Just because something is common in marriage doesn’t mean it’s healthy. We’ve heard countless couples ask: “Is this just a hard season… or is something actually wrong?” “Are we still okay, even though this feels hard?” In this episode, we unpack those questions using anonymous submissions from real couples. You’ll hear what challenges are normal in long-term relationships—and what behavior or dynamics cross the line into unhealthy territory. We cover emotional disconnection, mismatched intimacy, recurring conflict, parenting stress, and more. Plus, we share clear next steps for how to handle each one. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed or just want clarity, this conversation will leave you feeling validated, informed, and ready to make meaningful change. 🎧 What You’ll Learn: What’s normal vs what’s not okay in conflict, intimacy, and parenting What’s normal vs what’s not okay in conflict, intimacy, and parenting Real examples from couples like you (and how we’d respond) One mindset shift that helps you stop tolerating what’s not working 🛠️ Resources Mentioned in the Episode THIS SUMMER ONLY 3 MARRIAGE CHANGING GUIDES FOR THE PRICE OF TWO 🎉 → Making Up & Moving Forward Guide → De-Escalating Conflicts Guide → Family Meeting Guide Get the bundle here: https://thecouplesexperience.com/3guidesbundle Surprise Bonus for Committed Couples If this episode was a wake-up call or gut check, you're not alone. Many couples drift because they normalize disconnection, resentment, or the roommate phase… until it’s too late. That’s why we created the Best of Us 30-Day Couples Challenge to help you reignite emotional and physical intimacy in just a few intentional minutes a day. This limited edition is only available a few times per year. And right now? We’ve got a surprise for you waiting here: https://thecouplesexperience.com/surprise Episode Time Stamps: 01:00 – Is this a normal marriage challenge… or not okay? 01:38 – One key mindset shift: “If it hurts your partner and you won’t change, it’s an issue” 03:03 – Are you playing the same game—or using totally different marriage rulebooks? 05:29 – Conflict: What’s normal vs. what’s actually damaging 07:13 – Are you really repairing—or just resetting the same fight cycle? 08:43 – Is it okay to not talk for days after an argument? 11:27 – Want to shorten your conflict recovery time? Here’s how 13:05 – The truth about intimacy: What’s normal… and what hurts the relationship 16:00 – Intimacy shouldn’t only satisfy one person 18:48 – What to do if desire is low (emotionally, physically, or hormonally) 20:44 – The role of emotional and physical check-ins 22:57 – Are you in a “roommate rut”? You need this challenge 24:35 – The emotional load & mental load: What’s normal, what’s not okay 28:15 – “If you’re not playing by the same rules, no wonder it feels off” 32:11 – Parenting struggles: How common are they and what’s truly not okay 36:55 – You don’t just need consistency… you need adaptability 38:44 – Stop parenting by default—here’s what to do instead 42:30 – What happens when personal struggles or boundaries go unaddressed 44:15 – The boundary breakdown: “If you're not playing by the same rules, you're losing” 47:55 – Final takeaways + How to get resources for your marriage
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48:23
Your Brain’s Default Settings Could Be Sabotaging Your Marriage (How Neuroscience Reveals Your Blocks) with John Assaraf: Episode 402
Why is it so hard to change the way we show up in marriage, even when we know what we want to do differently? In this special episode, we sit down with John Assaraf, a renowned global leader in success and performance coaching, decades-long behavioral neuroscience researcher, and CEO of MyNeuroGym.com. He’s authored 4 bestselling books (including 2 New York Times bestsellers) and has been featured in 11 films. Together, we explore the science behind why we get stuck in patterns like defensiveness, withdrawal, or reactivity and how to finally break free. Whether you’re trying to communicate better, stay calm in conflict, or just feel more connected, this episode reveals what’s really happening in your brain during those moments, and what it takes to rewire it. John shares breakthrough insights from his book Innercise, along with practical tools to reshape your beliefs, upgrade your mindset, and master the habits that shape your relationship. Which is required if you want to get new results in your life and marriage. If you are ready to become the partner your relationship and your future needs, this episode is a must-listen. 👉 Grab John Assaraf’s book Innercise on Amazon 🎯 Get the Freemans’ relationship tools at MeetTheFreemans.com/links
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49:57
Double Standards in Marriage: When It Feels Like the Rules Are Different for You: Episode 401
Few things create more frustration in a marriage than the feeling of a double standard—when it seems like the rules are different for you than for your partner. Whether it’s around emotional regulation, how long you’re “allowed” to feel upset, or what tone is acceptable from whom, these invisible imbalances quietly erode trust and connection over time. In this episode, we unpack the real-life double standards men and women often feel in marriage—and how those dynamics are deeply tied to core fears like unfairness, rejection, or not being heard. We’re not here to point fingers—we’re here to name the patterns, give them language, and teach you how to break the cycle without turning on each other. You’ll learn how to move beyond keeping score, how to express your needs without weaponizing them, and how to create emotional safety when things feel uneven. If you’ve ever thought, “Why is it okay when they do it, but not when I do?”—this one is for you. 👉 One way to prevent these double standard dynamics is by consistently building up your “Love Account” through small daily deposits of connection, appreciation, and presence. That’s exactly what the Prioritizing Us 30-Day Couples Challenge is designed to help you do. Start today at MyCouplesChallenge.com.
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13:24
Types of Boundaries You Must Establish to Protect Your Marriage: Episode 400
You want your marriage to feel like a place of joy, momentum, and shared purpose—not just survival mode. Just like in any great sport, the most fulfilling performance only happens inside clear, agreed-upon boundaries. In this episode, we explore the invisible lines that protect your connection, prevent slow erosion, and allow your relationship to thrive through both play and pressure. Whether it’s how you handle conflict, manage emotional energy, or protect your marriage from outside influences, these boundaries are non-negotiables for couples who want to go the distance. You’ll walk away with powerful insights and practical tools to strengthen your bond and prevent unnecessary damage along the way. 👉 Don’t miss the summer-only special of our 3-guide bundle—De-Escalating Conflicts, Making Up & Moving Forward, and Family Meeting—designed to help you implement everything from this episode. Get the Special 3 Guide Bundle here.
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28:54
What is Co-Regulation and How to Do It Effectively (So You Don’t Dysregulate Each Other): Episode 399
Your emotional state doesn’t just affect you—it affects your partner, too. In fact, if you don’t learn how to co-regulate, you’ll unintentionally become each other’s stressor instead of each other’s support system. This episode goes beyond managing your own emotions and explores how to stay grounded together, especially in high-stress moments. We’ll break down what co-regulation really means in marriage, how your nervous systems influence each other in subtle but powerful ways, and how to stop spiraling into fights about the fight. You’ll learn 5 practical steps to co-regulate in real-life moments and how to create a more emotionally safe home—one small choice at a time. 👉 Don’t forget to grab the summer-only special of our 3-guide bundle, featuring the De-Escalating Conflicts Guide, Making Up & Moving Forward Guide, and Family Meeting Guide—all designed to help you stay connected and handle hard moments with more calm and clarity. Available here Special 3 Guide Bundle
Stay on the same team, no matter the challenge you face!
Jocelyn and Aaron Freeman, known as The Freemans, are the husband-and-wife duo behind viral marriage content seen by 20M+ couples every month. Both hold Master’s degrees in Psychology, are authors, coaches, and parents... but what makes them stand out is how real and relatable their advice is. Most couples say: “Are they watching us?!”
This show gives couples the practical tools, real talk, and honest coaching that most relationships are missing. Whether you're in a tough season or just want to stay connected through the chaos of life, you'll walk away from every episode with something you can actually use.
If you're ready to improve communication, resolve conflict faster, and feel emotionally connected again, subscribe now. You’ll want to binge past episodes and never miss what’s next.
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